It’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’re nearing the playoff round of the Olympic hockey tournament. However, there’s plenty of hot stove chatter as we await the return of NHL action. Some teams have already started making moves before the pre-Olympic roster freeze. However, we’ll definitely see more moves as we draw closer to the March 6 trade deadline. Some general managers are using the Olympic break to mull over their next moves.
One team that may have work to do is the Calgary Flames. This edition of NHL rumours talks about more moves that they could make before March 6.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
What Next for the Calgary Flames in the Lead into the Trade Deadline?
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period appeared on The Sheet podcast to talk about what could be next for the Flames in the coming weeks.
Analysis: Calgary has already gotten to work dismantling its team. The Flames dealt Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights before the Olympic roster freeze. It seems that Calgary general manager Craig Conroy has already begun the process of tearing down the roster. The Andersson deal is probably not the last one Conroy is going to make.
Two names on Calgary’s roster that are drawing interest are forwards Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman. Both players are experienced veterans that have hoisted the Stanley Cup in their lengthy careers. Contending teams would love to add either one of these players at the trade deadline.
Kadri had seemed to be content with staying in Calgary and finishing out his contract in previous editions of NHL rumours. However, Pagnotta mentioned that Kadri is open to a move and that speaks volumes.
Coleman may be 34 years old, but he can still be a useful player to a contending team. He works hard at both ends of the ice and was key piece to the Tampa Bay Lightning when they won back-to-back championships.
What it Means
Pagnotta mentioned that there was plenty chatter surrounding Coleman before the roster freeze. However, Coleman’s injury that he suffered an upper-body injury against the Boston Bruins on January 8. The Flames decided to hold him out and he’ll likely be ready after the Olympic break.
Coleman’s salary cap hit is also a manageable $4.9 million, which isn’t as painful as some of the cap hits other players available at the deadline may have. That hit is digestible and could be moved fairly easily.
Kadri may be harder to move due to him having a $7 million cap hit. The veteran forward also has three more seasons left after this season is over. He’ll be 38 years old when his contract wraps up at the end of the 2028-29 season. Kadri is a proven winner and a solid point-getter, but that hit is a tough one for a contender to absorb for an aging player.
Pagnotta notes the Flames veterans are a tight-knit group, but they’ll likely be movement once the roster freeze is lifted. Calgary seems destined to start over, and Conroy might be willing to move several veteran players.
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